Mindfulness Made Simple: How to Get Started

Demystifying Mindfulness

Let's cut to the chase. Mindfulness, a term that's gained traction over the years, has the perplexing propensity to inspire bursts of confusion and bewilderment. Is it about chanting "om" while twisted like a pretzel in yoga? Maybe it's about pondering ten deep thoughts before breakfast? Or is it simply about being in the moment, like when I play hide and seek with my kids, Oliver and Amelia, and I'm fully invested in the hunt, my heart racing, forgetting for a moment that I still have that article to write? Yes, that's more like it. But let's get into the nitty-gritty of what mindfulness truly encompasses.

Meet your Mind: The First Step towards Mindfulness

Embarking on a journey towards mindfulness starts with an introduction - a simple "how do you do?" to your mind. If you're skeptical about how this would go down, just think about the most recent time when your brain decided to take a detour into overthinking mode. Maybe you were fretting about your finance reports while trying to enjoy a cup of tea. Or perhaps you found yourself lost in a maze of Oliver's math homework and Amelia's school play rehearsal, while all you wanted was a moment of calm. This, my friends, is your mind going on autopilot. Recognizing this state is the first step towards mindfulness.

Practise Mindful Breaths: Your Key to Being Present

Mindfulness is about embracing the now - it’s the crisp wisp of early morning air, the warmth of your cup of coffee, the soothing rhythm of your breath. As enticing as these sound, they aren’t always easy to focus on. Trust me, I used to think taking a pause to focus on long, mindful breaths was a luxury I couldn't afford, given my to-do list. But now I know better, and every morning, between packing lunches and the familial flurry of activity, I take five minutes out to focus on my breathing. This simple act anchors me to the present, making each day’s challenges more manageable.

Adopt Mindful Eating: Delight in Every Bite

Savouring your meals is more than just an exercise in culinary appreciation; it can be a doorway into mindfulness. Each bite is a symphony of textures, flavours, and smells waiting to be discovered. Remember when food was not a rushed affair, consumed while juggling a plethora of tasks, but instead, a moment of connection, enjoyment, and yes, mindfulness? In my home, we have a rule – no phones at the dinner table, just open hearts, and mindful munching. It not only made our meals taste better but also brought us closer as a family.

Building Your Mindfulness Muscle: A Lifelong Commitment

Like any worthwhile endeavor, mindfulness is not something you chance upon or stumble into. It requires practice, patience, and perseverance. There will be times when your mind will wander into a labyrinth of distractions and disillusionments, and that's okay. Remember, Rome, and let's not forget, a great fettuccine alfredo, weren’t built in a day. As Amelia often reminds me when she’s practicing her guitar, “it’s the repeated strumming that eventually leads to a melody.” A daily mindfulness habit helps you train your mind to live in the present, one breath, one moment at a time. It’s an ongoing commitment, from you to yourself.

All in all, mindfulness is not some mystical concept reserved solely for yogis or the enlightened few. It’s an attainable state of active attention, enabling all of us to truly live and not just exist in our day-to-day lives. And remember, it's in the ordinary moments that we find our extraordinary lives. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a game of hide-and-seek to attend to!